Interest in travel for 2026 continues to grow. Several European destinations remain favourites among Swedes, while Japan sails in as a newcomer on the travel agency Ticket's top list. The USA continues to lose ground – but this trend could change in the future due to the World Cup. Here are the countries and destinations standing out for 2026.

Travel plans for 2026 are on the rise. According to recent figures from the travel agency Ticket, bookings departing in 2026 have so far increased by 22 percent compared to the same period last year. At the same time, there are clear shifts in the top lists, where Europe continues to dominate, but where new destinations are also taking their place.

Europe is holding on

Spain retains its top spot as the most booked country for 2026, with bookings there having increased by 17 percent so far compared to last year. Furthermore, the country is expected to gain particular attention in late summer, as a total solar eclipse in August can be experienced in parts of Spain – something that often contributes to increased interest in travel to the destination.

Meanwhile, Italy is climbing Ticket's top list with a 69 per cent increase in bookings. Portugal is also a destination to keep a particularly close eye on for next year, as bookings there have increased by a massive 89 per cent.

The UK continues to attract more travellers, with bookings increasing by 30 percent. This development began in 2025 and now appears to be continuing into 2026.

Japan steps in – USA loses ground

One of the clearest changes ahead of 2026 is Japan's entry as a newcomer onto Ticket's top 10 most booked countries list. This increased interest means Cyprus, despite 36 percent growth, will fall out of the top list when Japan steps in.

The USA stands out as the only country on the top 10 list where bookings are decreasing, with a drop of just over 21 percent. At the same time, this summer's football World Cup could contribute to influencing developments in a more positive direction.

– The Football World Cup could be just the boost needed to get travel to the USA picking up again. It puts the country in focus in a completely different way, and even if not everyone travels for the matches, it can contribute to more people starting to look at the USA as a travel destination again, says Tiyoneh Jah, PR & Communications Manager at the travel agency Ticket.

Alicante and Rome are climbing

At the destination level, several clear movements are visible looking ahead to 2026. Bookings to Alicante have increased by 43 percent, thereby strengthening its position as an affordable and easily accessible holiday destination. Rome enters as a newcomer on the top 10 list with an increase of a full 73 percent, driven by a growing interest in city breaks focusing on sun, culture, and food.

At the same time, Paris is falling off the list. Demand remains stable, but isn't sufficient when other destinations are growing faster.

– Competition between destinations has intensified. Those that don't grow risk rapidly losing ground as travel is redistributed. With increasing booking volumes and new favourites emerging, we're seeing ever tougher competition between destinations, concludes Tiyoneh Jah.
 

The Swedes will hit [reach?] Sweden in 2026

Countries – Top 10

1. Spain (1)
2. Thailand
3. Italy (5)
4. Greece (4)
5. United Kingdom (6)
6. USA (3)
7. France (7)
8. Portugal (9)
9. Germany (8)
10. Japan (NY)

Destination – Top 10

1. Gran Canaria (2)
2. Bangkok (1)
3. Málaga
4. Alicante (5)
5. Phuket (4)
6. Barcelona (7)
7. Tenerife (6)
8. London (9)
9. Mallorca
10. Rom (NY)

Source: Ticket booking statistics. Travel booked on or after 17 December 2025 with departure in 2026. Figures in parentheses indicate ranking on the top list during the corresponding period last year.